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Suriname Falls Short in Anti-Corruption Efforts

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Despite passing an anti-corruption law in 2017, Suriname has yet to establish a dedicated commission to implement it, leaving the country struggling to combat corruption and protect its natural resources.

Effective Anti-Corruption Laws Elusive

According to a recent report, Suriname is one of several Caribbean nations that have financial disclosure laws, but they are not effective due to lack of funding for their commissions and a culture of transparency. The country’s failure to modernize its criminal corruption laws, including the absence of a whistleblower law, has also hindered efforts to combat graft.

UN Convention on Corruption: A Missing Piece

Suriname’s reluctance to join the United Nations Convention on Corruption (UNCAC), which is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument, has also raised concerns. As of February 6, 2020, 187 countries had signed the convention, but Suriname remains one of the few holdouts.

Regional Efforts Hampered

Regional efforts to combat corruption have also been hindered by Suriname’s failure to update its regulatory and procedural frameworks to allow for effective cooperation with other countries and international organizations on the management of seized and forfeited assets. The country has ratified some regional anti-corruption conventions, but has not joined others.

Seeking Help from International Organizations

In a bid to improve governance and transparency, Suriname may want to seek technical and financial assistance from international organizations and civil society groups. Some potential sources of help include:

  • The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean’s program aimed at countering corruption and money laundering
  • The Inter-American Development Bank’s grants to CARICOM countries to improve their anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism laws
  • The Basel Institute of Governance’s training and capacity-building programs for developing countries seeking to strengthen their anti-corruption efforts
  • The International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria, which offers expertise and training on anti-corruption and anti-money laundering matters

IMF Report Highlights Need for Improvement

In its 2018 Article IV report, the International Monetary Fund underscored the need for Suriname to strengthen its governance and transparency, citing the country’s high public debt and lack of progress in implementing reforms. The report noted that Suriname’s natural resources pose a significant risk to corruption and environmental degradation if not managed properly.

Conclusion

The international community is eager to assist Suriname in improving its anti-corruption efforts, but the country must first take steps to strengthen its governance and transparency mechanisms. With the help of international organizations and civil society groups, Suriname can move closer to achieving its goal of becoming a more transparent and corruption-free nation.

By Bruce Zagaris, Partner, Berliner Corcoran & Rowe LLP